Digging device



Dec. 27, 1927.

- 1,653,777 J. MIOTKE DIGGING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1927 lfiVENTOR:

Joseplz Mbfke.

A TTOPNE Y:

Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH MIOTKE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

DIGGING DEVICE.

Application filed July 14, 1927. Serial No. 205,753.

r This invention relates to digging implements that are adapted to be usedtor earth boring and has for its objects the following uses or parallel adaptations. I

In the providing of a simple mechanical assembly that can be'used for digging earth bores, or the like, where appreciable depth, and small diameter, is desirable without resorting to unusual excavation.

The devising of a tool of simplified elements that may be economicallymanufactured, whose members are formed to oii'er themselves to be assembled so that-the uniting means will maintain the parts in movable and operative relationship, and without the necessity of requiring complex adjuncts for lessening friction; the production of a tool whose aci'zuating means occurs erternally or" the completed device and is readily put together byordinary labor, after same has been produced with a minimum amount of work requiring-the assistance of the higher salaried mechanical artisans in order to present a marketablearticle whose outlay of manufacturing will still permit of a selling chargewithin reason for that portion of the public assumed to be the interested trade.

The devising of means whereby accumulated sand, soil, or other dbris, finding lodgment in pipes, water-meter lie -boxes, and various other forms of sewer-like prop erties, can be removed from remote places that are too small in diameter to get at handily, nor large enough to permit light to assist in the work. The device, intliese present instances, being conceived as a unitary toolcapable of being extended to meet extreme depths or out-o;t-reach locations.

The oflering of a device which will, also, lend itself to an adaptation wherein objectionable growths may be individually separated with their embedding soil to assure their removal when a pull is exerted that enlists the combined strength of the gathered and compressed stalks forming the visible portion of the growths aforesaid.

Other uses and advantages may be suggested, by the detailed description, that reiers to the accompanying drawing, which to gether wit-h the attached claims, Form parts of this applicationythe several views comprising 1 Figure 1 is an applied view of the digger.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation. Figure 3 is a perspectiveview of the inner element.

Figure l is a section on line 4-4 oi. Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is amodifica-tion showing application otsame.

Similar characters of reference apply to like parts throughout the several views, and auxiliary additions and relative positions are indicated by dotted lines. y

The .tool here considered is intended to be of stall-like design whose operative portions form the metallic spear-head of a handle, which latter, may be, as occasion demands, extended. V

A, preferably, wooden handle H, is providodwith a turning-grop G which latter acts as a set-screw for an adjustable collar, or, ferrule G that slidably fits about the handle H. The grip G has two functions; this member is adapted for twisting the llELD- dle upon occasion to be presently remarked upon, and as astirrup upon which the users v:toot may apply pressure when using the device,.because at times, and in certain soils, hand pressure alone becomes afnoticed exertion when continued use is attempted.

The operative, or, metallic portion that terminates the handle H is of tubular formation wherein an outer shell 1 envelopes an inner or cutting tube 2, concentric with each other. The element 2 is rigidly fitted to the handle H in any suitable manner, while the outer shell 1 is free to rotate, unless restrained, about the cutting tube; both are movably connected by means of a set-screw 3 that is threaded into the said tube 2 While the outer shell is provided with a slot 4:

whose width is equal to the screws diameter. The said screw has two functions; it maintains the relativeness of shell and tube and, also, provides abearing element that takes the thrust put upon the handle II when forcing the tool into the earth. The slat 4 is beveled at 4 to enable impacted soil lodg ing therein to be forced out of same when the screw traverses said slot.

The outer shell is provided with an anchoring line whose continuity is broken to admit the screw 3; this fin is originally longer than its integral portion 1, and is apertured to receive one end of a spring element S; the said spring coils about the handle H towhich its opposite end is fixedly attached. The spring S also offers a shoulder means that coincides, as an annular collar, with the upper annular edge of the shell 1, and assists the screw 3 in taking the beforementioned thrusts while distributing same uniformlyabout the tubular edge contacting therewith. The shelll and tube 2 are cut away diagonally of thelr longltudlnal aspects which leaves an -open portion of these elements when in normal positioln The bottom of l is slightly restricted and sharpened to offer a semi-circular edge 1 and the edge of 2 is sharpenedatil as are, also, 1ts diagonal edges 2 which act as means for cleaning the shell 1' upon being returned to normal position by the spring 5 whose fun c tion is, the restoring of normal relationship between the members i and 2. The inner element 2 is intended for cutting the soil; its lower edge is protected by arranging the entering edge 1 of the shell 1 to extend lowermost, so that the excavated product will equal the bore of the said inner element and, in this manner minimize any tendency for dirt to crowd between the elements 1 and 2, besides exposing but one edge to be the resharpening consideration. The im is cut diagonallyas at and sharpened to make its entrance easy and assured. The said fin holds the shell stationary. when buried while the rotated handle H revolves the cutting tube 2; the arrows'indicating the closing direction. This latter action builds up power in the spring S, and, upon withdrawal of tool, this power is released to restore the parts automatically, at the same time. discharging the compacted SOll collected. I v

in boring holes, the devices ma or diameter is approximately that of the member 1, and the handle H may follow same without hindrance; the extended fin 5 will not amount to a hindrance for progressive digging and the screws head, being located in the iins break, facilitates said heads entrfance along a score made by the fin .5 which latter precedes the head; usual soil condltions will readily permit of this occurrence.

The tool here considered is designed as a device that will reach a market where the sale price must be reasonable, and, whose use must escape all complicated repair considerations. The novel method which considers the shell 1 and fin 5 as integral elements,

that are blanked out, formed to shape, and then welded, offers a process that will permit of adapting scrap sheet-steel for producing this conception, and allowing a choice of variety in sizes that would not be possible, nor economicalwere stock sizes of tubing employed.

A modification of this device is shown in Fig. 5, wherein the fin 5 is turned over at 5 to offer a stirrup feature where foot-pressure can be applied. A. grip G will function here for turning the inner tube 2; all the corresponding elements retaining their similarity, except that a conical finish, commonto angering devices, may be given the shell 1 and inner member 2, which two elemerits oli'er, also, cutout reliefs 6 wherein are gathered the stalks of a plant P when the cutter tube 2 is turned, and clamp said stalks so that their combined strength is added to are; conically compressed soil that surrounds a root It, thus assuring a suliicient grip that will compel the entire root to follow an outward pull, instead of breaking same near the surface, only to sprout again, as is the case when root growths are not severed deep enough to prevent regeneration.

This device, as seen in the modification, is an improvement on existing means that removes, without injury potted plants; or, broadly, some forms of ice-creain ladies, and angers; the invention here concerned is the novel and simple construction shown, which Oil'ers an article of manufacture that lends itself to economical production, plus an actuation means that is readily assembled, and which eliminates the objections present in intricate devices, that are difficult to produce and costly as repair considerations.

Having described the invention what is claimed as newand desiredto protect by United States Letters Patent, is:-

1. A digging device comprising telescoped tubular members having, inner and outer elements, a screw stud connecting said elements, said. screw rotatable with the inner element, and a. limiting slotfor the screw stud formed in the outer element, said slot beveled endwise to extend its width beyond the travel limits of the aforesaid screw.

2. A digging device comprising inner and outer telescoped tubular elements having, an integral fin projecting from the outer element, a handle member rotatable with the inner element when the outer element is arrested by the integral fin projection, a helical spring encircling said handle and forming an abutting annulus above and concentrically upon the said outer element, anchoring means for said spring located in saidfin and anchoring means for the opposite end of said spring located upon the handle above the tubular elements.

3. In a digging device comprising inner and outer tubular elementshaving in combination, an extensible handle, adjustable means forming a pressure receiving extension, said extension offering a rotating lever for affecting said handle, an oscillating i1iner element, an arrestable outer element, an exposed helical spring above said elements connecting together for oscillating purposes the said inner and outer elements, a longitudinal fin integrally entendedradially from the said outer element, an element-connecting and vertically stabilizing screw limiting the oscillations of the inner element,;said screw normally disposing its head in the vertical plane of the aforesaid fin, cutting edges for both oscillative directions of the inner element, and an arcuate cutting edge arranged upon the outer element below a similar edge fashioned upon the inner element.

4. A digging device having; telescoped elements whose excavating portion is devised to produce a bore; a handle portion for said elements enterable in said bore; and means on said handle, for affecting the said excavating portion, designed to remain accessible without the said bore.

5. A digging device comprising outer and inner tubular elements, having, annular resilient retrieving means, said means affecting the inner oscillatable element, the aforesaid means and the aforesaid elements arranged so that the outside diameter of the said device is generally uniform.

6. A digging device comprising inner and outer tubular elements; said elements devoid of annular formations experipheral to their regularly cylindrical aspect; and means, uniting the parts, entirely exposed and in tions, said recesses oppositely disposed in the outer and inner elements aforesaid to provide compressing jaws when said device is closed.

8. A digging device comprising inner and outer tubular elements having, inner and outer arcuate cutting edges adapted for boring cylindrical holes, the inside radius of the outer edge being equal to the similar radius of the inner edge when device is open, the said edges approximating a full circle of uniform diameter when the aforesaid device is in the closed position.

In testimony of which I hereby aflix my signature.

JOSEPH MIOTKE. 

